Real Weddings: Country fans Amy and Brian tie the knot in Co Kildare

THE COUPLE
Amy Coyle, marketing coordinator, and Brian Greene, dairy farmer.

THEY LIVE
in Rathgormack, Co Waterford.

THE VENUE
Kilkea Castle, Co Kildare.

PHOTOGRAPHY
Elaine Barker Photography.

THEY MET
We first met in Australia in 2016, and then we ran into each other again a year later on a night out in Langtons Hotel Kilkenny.

THE PROPOSAL
It was my 30th birthday and Brian had booked a night away at the Cliff House Hotel in Ardmore. I had presumed that the night away was my gift. However, that night before dinner, while I was getting ready Brian said he would organise my presents.

The room already had birthday decorations and small gifts laid out. Brian asked me to step out onto the balcony, and when I did and turned around, he was down on one knee! I was so surprised; I couldn’t stop screaming – I was over the moon. Brian had chosen the ring (guessing my ring size), which made it even more special. We called our families to celebrate and could hardly eat dinner as we were so excited.

THE DRESS AND THE SUIT
My dress was from Truly Bridal in Naas and Brian’s suit was from Bourkes Menswear in Carrick-on-Suir. Ray in Bourkes has kitted Brian out for every major event in his life and so it was no different for his wedding day.

THE CEREMONY
The ceremony took place in my local church, St Michael’s in Athy. Rev Alec Purser and Rev Conor O’Reilly co-officiated. The very talented Michaela Hogg was the soloist on the day, and our family friend Suzanne Hendy played the organ. When it came time to leave the church, my brother George looked after the wedding transport for the day.

THE RECEPTION
Our reception took place in Kilkea Castle outside Athy. The stunning venue is only two minutes from my family home. Covid had caused a backlog at wedding venues so we were delighted to get availability.

Our wedding planner at the hotel was Michaela Doyle; she was so helpful in the run-up to the wedding and ensured everything on the day ran like clockwork. The food, drinks and service were brilliant, and it was lovely to get so much positive feedback from our guests.

THE ENTERTAINMENT
Our band on the night was Panic Animal from Athy. We had heard them perform at other events and as soon as we got engaged, we knew they were the only band we wanted.

THE DECOR
Dee from Elderwoods Floristry was a dream to work with. We clicked when it came to the theme for the flowers and decorations on the day. As Brian and I both loved our time in Australia, where we first met, I wanted to incorporate something Australian into our wedding day. To do this with our flowers was perfect.

Dee was even able to include the dairy theme common to both our careers by putting flower arrangements in milk churns outside the church. Our cake stand was made by my bridesmaid’s dad, Peter Ponsonby, and the cake was made by my godmother Daphne Walsh-Decon.

THEIR TOP TIPS
Working with suppliers we clicked with made life so much easier for us. Emails are great for figuring out details but a phone call can really put your mind at ease and give you a feel for the person you will be meeting maybe for the first time on your wedding day.

THEY WISH THEY HAD
To be honest, there isn’t anything that went wrong, or we feel we would have changed on the day; we really enjoyed it all.